# Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar

> 1999 film directed by Claude Zidi

**Wikidata**: [Q314642](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314642)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterix_and_Obelix_vs._Caesar)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asterix-obelix-take-on-caesar

## Summary

Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar is a 1999 Franco-German live-action comedy-adventure film directed by Claude Zidi, based on the popular French comic book series Asterix. It is the first theatrical Asterix film to use live-action rather than animation, and it serves as the third Asterix film overall, following the animated productions from 1967 and 1976.

## Key Facts

- **Title**: Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar (original French: Astérix et Obélix contre César)
- **Alternative Titles**: Astérix et Obélix contre César, Asterix et Obelix contre Cesar, Asterix & Obelix vs. Caesar
- **Director**: Claude Zidi
- **Release Year**: 1999
- **Genres**: Comedy film, Adventure film
- **Production Companies**: Bavaria Film (Germany), Canal+ (France), Constantin Film (Germany), Sat.1 (Germany), Odeon Film (Germany)
- **Country of Origin**: France, Germany
- **Preceded By**: Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002) — actually succeeded by this film
- **Wikipedia Title**: Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar
- **Official Website**: https://asterix.com/asterix-au-cinema/les-films-live/asterix-et-obelix-contre-cesar/
- **Publication Dates**: Multiple release dates from February 3, 1999 through October 27, 2000, plus August 16, 2002
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs

**What is Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar about?**
The film is based on the Asterix comic book series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, featuring the Gaulish warrior Asterix and his large companion Obelix as they take on Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire.

**Who directed Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar?**
The film was directed by Claude Zidi, a French filmmaker known for comedy films.

**What are the production companies behind this film?**
The film was produced by a consortium including Bavaria Film (founded 1919, based in Germany), Canal+ (French TV channel founded 1984), Constantin Film (German production company founded 1950), Sat.1 (German TV station founded 1984), and Odeon Film (German film production company founded 1998).

**When was Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar released?**
The film had multiple release dates beginning February 3, 1999, with additional releases throughout 1999 and 2000, and one additional release on August 16, 2002.

**What genre does this film belong to?**
The film is classified as both a comedy film and an adventure film.

**What country produced this film?**
The film is a Franco-German co-production, originating from France and Germany.

**What was the next Asterix film after this one?**
The film was followed by Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, released in 2002 and directed by Alain Chabat.

## Why It Matters

Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar represents a significant milestone in the adaptation of one of Europe's most beloved comic book franchises. As the first live-action theatrical Asterix film, it bridged the gap between the animated adaptations of the 1960s and 1970s and the modern era of big-budget comic book cinema. The involvement of multiple major European production companies—including Bavaria Film, Constantin Film, and Canal+—demonstrates the cross-border appeal of the Asterix brand and the commercial viability of European co-productions in the comedy-adventure genre.

The film's significance extends beyond entertainment to cultural heritage: Asterix has been a cornerstone of Franco-Belgian comic tradition since the 1950s, and this 1999 adaptation brought the characters to new audiences in a different medium. The collaboration between French and German production companies also reflects the broader European integration in media and entertainment industries during the late 1990s.

## Notable For

- First live-action theatrical adaptation of the Asterix comic book series
- Directed by Claude Zidi, a prominent French comedy director
- Multi-national European co-production involving France and Germany
- Released across multiple dates in 1999-2000, indicating wide theatrical distribution
- Part of a long-running film franchise that began with the 1967 animated film Asterix the Gauls

## Body

### Production Background

Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar was directed by Claude Zidi, a French filmmaker who had established himself in the comedy genre. The film represents a pivotal moment in the Asterix film franchise, marking the transition from animated adaptations to live-action cinema. This shift allowed for a different visual and narrative approach to the source material, which had originally been created by writer René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo.

The production involved a significant collaboration between French and German entertainment companies. Bavaria Film, one of Germany's oldest film production companies (founded in 1919, headquartered in Munich, with approximately 1,200 employees), contributed to the production. Constantin Film, another major German production company established in 1950 and based in Munich with around 567 employees, also participated. The French involvement came through Canal+, the French television channel founded in 1984 and headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris.

Additional German partners included Sat.1, a major German private television station founded in 1984 and based in Berlin, and Odeon Film, a German film production company established in 1998 and headquartered in Munich and Wiesbaden. This multi-national approach reflects the pan-European appeal of the Asterix franchise, which has been popular throughout continental Europe since its inception in 1959.

### Release and Distribution

The film was released with multiple publication dates spanning from February 3, 1999 through October 27, 2000, with a final release on August 16, 2002. These staggered release dates suggest a phased rollout across different European markets, which was common for major Franco-German co-productions during this period. The extensive release schedule indicates the film's wide theatrical distribution across multiple countries.

The official website for the film is hosted on asterix.com, the central web presence for the entire Asterix franchise, confirming the film's canonical status within the larger Asterix universe.

### Franchise Context

This film occupies a specific position within the Asterix film franchise. It is the third theatrical Asterix film, following the 1967 animated film "Asterix the Gauls" (directed by Ray Goossens) and the 1976 animated film "The Twelve Tasks of Asterix" (directed by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, and Henri Gruel). The 1999 live-action adaptation thus marked a new chapter in how the Asterix stories were brought to the screen.

The film was succeeded by "Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra" (also known as "Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra"), a 2002 film directed by Alain Chabat. This subsequent film continued the live-action approach and achieved significant commercial success, demonstrating the viability of the live-action format for the Asterix franchise.

### Cultural Significance

The Asterix comics have been a fundamental part of Franco-Belgian popular culture since the first publication in 1959. The character of Asterix, a diminutive Gaulish warrior with superhuman strength due to a magic potion, along with his best friend Obelix (who fell into a cauldron of magic potion as a child), has become an iconic representation of French culture and humor. The franchise has been translated into numerous languages and has achieved global recognition.

By adapting these characters for live-action cinema in 1999, the film brought the Asterix universe to audiences who might have been more familiar with modern action-adventure films than traditional animation. The comedy-adventure genre classification reflects the tone of the original comics, which combined humor with historical adventure.

### Technical and Industrial Context

The involvement of five distinct production companies from two countries represents a typical model for European film co-productions, particularly for properties with cross-border appeal. Bavaria Film, with its roots dating back to 1919, brought extensive experience in German cinema. Constantin Film, founded in 1950, has been a consistent presence in the German film industry. Canal+ contributed French television industry expertise and financing. Sat.1 provided additional German television industry connections. Odeon Film, as a newer entrant founded in 1998, represented the contemporary German film production landscape.

The sitelink count of 40 indicates moderate but significant presence across Wikimedia projects, reflecting the film's recognition as a notable cultural artifact within the broader Asterix franchise.

## References

1. Astérix et Obélix contre César. Unifrance
2. Asterix & Obelix gegen Cäsar. filmportal.de
3. Astérix et Obélix contre César. Ciné-Ressources
4. Astérix et Obélix contre César. AlloCiné
5. The Movie Database
6. [Asterix & Obelix gegen Caesar. Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/510493/asterix-obelix-gegen-caesar)
7. Astérix et Obélix contre César. MovieMeter
8. [Asterix a Obelix (1999). Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze](https://www.csfd.cz/film/12007-asterix-a-obelix/prehled/)
9. [Asterix a Obelix (1999). Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze](https://www.csfd.sk/film/12007-asterix-a-obelix/prehlad/)
10. 아스테릭스. Daum
11. [Asterix i Obelix kontra Cezar. Filmweb. 2023](https://www.filmweb.pl/film/Asterix+i+Obelix+kontra+Cezar-1999-636)
12. Astérix & Obelix möter Caesar. Swedish Film Database
13. Asterix & Obelix møter Cesar. Filmfront
14. [Asterix & Obelix - I kamp mod Cæsar. Danish Film Database](https://www.dfi.dk/viden-om-film/filmdatabasen/film/asterix-obelix-i-kamp-mod-caesar)
15. Astérix et Obélix contre César. Elonet
16. [ASTERIX & OBELIX CONTRA CESAR. Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales](https://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/Detalle?Pelicula=75399)
17. Asterix és Obelix. PORT.hu
18. [Asteriks Ve Oburiks Sezar'a Karşı. Sinemalar.com](https://www.sinemalar.com/film/1167/)
19. Ástríkur og Steinríkur gegn Sesari. Kvikmyndir
20. Астерикс и Обеликс против Цезаря. Kinopoisk
21. Astérix et Obélix contre César. LUMIERE
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. Astérix et Obélix contre César. CineMagia
24. [Asterix & Obelix contre César](http://www.archiviodelcinemaitaliano.it/index.php/scheda.html?codice=FP5055)
25. [Astérix y Obélix contra César. decine21.com. 2023](https://decine21.com/peliculas/5134)
26. [Asterix i Obelix kontra Cezar. fdb. 2022](https://fdb.pl/film/2761)
27. [Source](https://www.programme-television.org/news-tv/Asterix-et-Obelix-contre-Cesar-TF1-Quel-tournage-par-Toutatis-4573544)
28. IMDb
29. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/asterix-obelix-contra-caesar/)
30. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/asterix-obelix-contre-cesar/)
31. Entertainment Identifier Registry
32. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
33. film distribution certificate
34. Bechdel Test Movie List
35. mymovies.it
36. Danish Film Database
37. [Source](https://norske-dubber.fandom.com/no/wiki/Asterix_&_Obelix_møter_Cæsar_(Film)?oldid=118846)
38. TheTVDB
39. Trakt.tv
40. FilmVandaag.nl